Chapter 89

"To think Cassion's already twelve. I used to worry so much about how frail he was, but I suppose we can all breathe a little easier now."

Julia, Dayson, Bella, Cassion, and Diana sat together in a circle around one table.

Julia, who hadn't so much as touched any of the food laid out on the table, tapped her teacup lightly and spoke.

"Mother, Cassion's still quite frail, even now. You should have seen how badly he was gasping for breath after that dance earlier."

"Oh dear. He really should get some exercise, then."

Julia and Dayson volleyed the conversation back and forth, Cassion as their subject.

Not a single word of it did Cassion any good.

Mostly, they just kept repeating, over and over, that Cassion remained weak and showed no sign of recovering.

The intent behind the conversation was unmistakable.

They're saying there's no point backing Cassion, since…